Rule Number One

There are Seven Streams to cross before reaching Suckerbrook Pond. The Trail leads into the forest and pulls me up the mountainside. A chiseled line cuts into the earth and guides me into the water. The Trail then reemerges on the other side. Each Stream trickles over the path, leaving only distinct rocks sticking out of the water. My boots bounce from stone to stone until eventually hitting the other side. Crossing each Stream has challenges. Each stone diagrams a path, but the path is never certain. Loose rocks can shift, leaving me in certain peril. A misstep most certainly means falling into the Seven Streams. Wetness leads to coldness, which then signals the end of an enjoyable Adventure.

Life slows down in the backcountry. Every action dictates a slow paced reaction. Rudimentary skills take preparation and thoughtfulness. The most mundane of tasks takes dedication and perseverance. A backcountry Traveler must place each boot in front of the other, carefully. The Traveler does not want to fall into the Seven Streams.

I keep all of this in mind as I follow the carved path into the forest. The pack upon my back is heavy and prone to sway with quick shifts of my moving feet. I’m top heavy and clumsy, which makes me vulnerable to falling. Needless to say, if I hit the deck, God knows what I might land upon. This is a sure fire way to become injured in the backcountry.

Rule number #1: Don’t Become Injured

Of course, there are other things that can happen to the backcountry Traveler. You can become wet, or disoriented, or moved into an uncomfortable position. There’s a list of things that you don‘t want to have happen to you in the backcountry. You can become twisted and disheveled, but you don’t want to become injured. You can move downhill in a hurry, but you better watch yourself. Many bad things can happen if you fall and hit the ground. I keep all of this in mind as I climb the trail. For the most part, I’m moving uphill, which means I’m moving rather slowly. I’m heading towards the top of the pass, where Suckerbrook Pond sits tucked in a bedding of trees, and where I plan on spending the night.

There’s a psychology that goes with climbing. There’s a way of clearing the human mechanism, of emptying the mind and focusing. There are tricks in developing a rhythm, and of finding a breathing pattern. There’s a way of slowing down the climb, moving up the hill despite the difficulty of fighting against gravity. Sure, it helps having the cardiovascular strength, and leg muscles to pound up the mountain. However, there are other intangibles involved in getting to the top.

The pack weighs upon my shoulders, especially on the steep sections. I have to keep moving or I will break my rhythm and lose momentum. I make every foot plant solid and sturdy. The worst thing I can do is fall. Remember, falling can lead to injury. I proceed with caution and trust my instincts. Most importantly, I make sure that I’m prepared to be out here. Climbing invokes the science of mental preparation. Getting from Point A to Point B successfully, takes well-orchestrated mental management. What lies between those two points is very much up to the Traveler.